Tireless efforts for political and economic supremacy and religious fanaticism have been some of the factors that have led to the widespread abuse of human rights the world over since time immemorial. The United Nations used to commemorate every year the Declaration of Human Rights, which was first made on Dec. 10, 1948. From that date the world has regarded the UN Charter as the basis for the protection of the rights of both peoples and nations.
The Western thinkers who have been striving to find the ways and means to implement the principles of human rights and restore the dignity of man in all parts of the world have obviously, neglected to examine the clear laws put in place by Islam to guarantee man his rights. It is their ignorance of Islam that makes Westerners blame Islam for the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The Qur’an gave the first charter of human rights fourteen centuries ago. It assures man his right to freedom, justice, equality and protection from tyranny. The Islamic concept of human rights has been implemented in Muslim countries.
Most Merciful Allah says in verse 32 of Sura 5 that any one who unjustly kills another is as guilty as if he had killed the entire community. In other words, a man’s life has to be protected at any cost unless he commits murder. According to the Qur’an, Allah’s punishment awaits those who infringe upon the liberty and humanity of other people as human liberty is sacred.
Islam stipulates that everyone has the right to equal justice. It does not differentiate between Arab, non-Arab, white or black. Islamic law advocates that one is considered innocent until otherwise proved. The Prophet, peace be upon him, has prohibited physical and mental torture saying, “Surely Allah persecutes those who persecute people in the world.”
The Qur’an has also made it clear that people have the right to protect themselves against tyranny. It also guarantees religious freedom to all. A Muslim is not allowed to convert non-Muslims forcibly to Islam. On the other hand, their faiths and beliefs must be respected. Islam also allows men their right to protect themselves, their honor and right to seek refuge from oppression. People also have the right to express their opinions, conduct free trade and work etc. It was the Qur’an that made the first charter of human rights; it preceded both the Magna Carta and the principles of the French Revolution by centuries.
Western declarations for human rights and Islamic principles are not basically different. However, man-made declarations have in most cases been misinterpreted to strip weak countries of their rights, if these countries are not willing to go along with Western desires and interests.
I appeal to the international organizations working in the field of human rights to study the Islamic concept of human rights and narrow the differences between that concept and Western principles. Apart from making the implementation of human rights more effective, such a study would show to the world that Islam has never in its history supported or advocated terrorism.
Arab News Opinion 16 December 2002
